Automatic rifle



F. w. WOODHULL A UTOMAT I C RIFLE May 8, 1945.

8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1940 May 8, 1945.

F. W. WOCDHULL AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed June 5, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 finder/1% za zymmg BY WOR'NEY May 8, 19 5- F. w. WOODHULL AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed June 5, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 TORNEY May 1945- F. w. WOODHULL 2,375,721

AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed June 51 1940 a Sheets-Sheet 4 TTORNEY May 8, 1945.

F. W. WOQDHULL I AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed June 5, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 May 8, 1945- F. w. WOODHULL AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed June 5', 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 May 1945- F. w. WOODHULL 2,375,721

AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed June 5, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 BY W TOR'NEY May 8, 1945.

F. w. WOODHULL AUTOMATIC RIFLE Filed June 5', 1940 a Sheets-Shet s y .Patented May 8, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC RIFLE Application June 5, 1940, Serial No. 338,890

12 Claims.

' This invention relates to an automatic rifle wherein a plurality of cartridges may be automatically fed to the breech, fired and ejected in rapid succession while the trigger is continuously held in hammer-releasing position. The invention contemplates an automatic rifle including a breech block retracted by the recoil incident to firing the rifle and spring-actuated into breechclosing position, loading mechanism including the breech block for inserting cartridges into the breech, and a firing mechanism including a hammer directly controlled by a sear which is initially operable by the trigger for starting firing of the rifle.

Prime object of the invention are to provide novel and improved mechanism whereby the hammer shall be automatically cocked by retraction of the breech block, initially shall be released by the trigger while the breech is closed, and then shall be cooked and released automatically by retraction of the breech block under recoil and return of the breech block to breech-closing position, respectively, while the trigger is held in hammer-releasing position; and thus to provide novel and improved cam mechanism cooperating with the breech block, the trigger and the sear for automatically cooking and releasing the hammer by reciprocation of the breech block.

Further objects are to provide in an automatic rifle. a novel and improved construction and combination of means for cooling the rifle barrel and permitting the rifle to be handled without danger of burning the hands of the operator; and to provide a simple, inexpensive, integral construction and combination of a cooling sleeve and flash hider for the rifle barrel.

Another object is to provide a novel and improved simple cartridge magazine whereby a plurality of cartridges can be fed singly in rapid succession to the loading mechanism of the rifle with a minimum of possibility of jamming of the cartridges or failure of supply thereof.

Additional objects are to provide a novel and improved bipod or prop for supporting the forward portion of the rifle on the ground so that the rifle can be tilted in vertical planes and swung in horizontal planes on the bipod by tilting or swingin of the stock to facilitate firing, and the bipod can cooperate with the stock to provide a three-point support for the rifle on the ground or other surface; and to provide novel and improved, simple and reliable means for mounting the bipod on the rifle barrel.

Other objects, advantages and results of the invention will appear from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an automatic rifle embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 22 of Figure 1, showing the bipod supp rt Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of one end of the rifle.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the portions shown in Figure 4 with part of the stock broken away and shown in section.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary top plan view of the end of the rifle opposite that shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view on the line l'! of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional elevational view, substantially full scale, through the automatic action mechanism, showing the parts in firing position.

Figure 9 is a similar view showing the parts in cooking and cartridge shell ejecting position.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 8 of the opposite side of the action mechanism.

Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view on the line l|ll of Figure 10.

Figures 12 to 16 inclusive are detached perspective views of parts of the automatic mechanism.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the automatic action mechanism showing the parts in normal cocked position ready for beginning of firing.

Figure 18 is a similar view showing the parts in firing position.

Figure 19 is a like view showing the parts in the position of automatic cocking and shell ejection.

Figures 20 to 22 inclusive are similar views showing the parts in different positions duringloading.

Figure 23 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 2323 of Figure 9.

Figure 24 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 2424 of Figure 7.

Figure 25 is a central vertical sectional view through the cartridge magazine showing the beginning of a loading operation.

Figure 26 is a transverse vertical sectional view neck B rigidly secured to the butt and embracing the casing C of the automatic action which includes a pistol grip D that projects from the under side of the neck B. As shown, the neck B is secured to the action casing C by screws E.

The barrel F of the rifle contains the breech O and is connected to one end of the action casing C as by screw threads G. A cooling radiator H having fins is mounted at the top of the barrel along the zone of combustion and a hand grip I mounted at the under side of the barrel for supporting the forward portion of the rifle during firing operations. A combined cooling sleeve and flash hider K is mounted on and surrounds the barrel from a point adjacent the radiator H to the muzzle of the barrel.

A bipod prop L is connected to the barrel intermediate its ends for supporting the forward end of the rifle on the ground or other surface and permitting tilting of the rifle in both vertical and horizontal planes during firing operations. Now specifically referring to the automatic mechanism, the pistol grip D has rigidly connected thereto a guide block M that is connected to the forward or breech end of the action casing C by a lug l on the guide block seated in a notch 2 in. the action casing, and to the other end of the action casing by a thumb screw 3. Slidable on the guide block M is a breech block N which cooperates with the breech O and has a tail P slidable longitudinally along the under side of the barrel on a guide rod Q secured at one end to the action casing as at 4. A compression spring 5 surrounds the rod Q and has one end seated in a socket 6 in the tail P of the breech block and the other end abutting a washer 1 between which and the end of the action casing is interposed a rubber cushion block 8. With this construction, the breech block is normally influenced into breech closing position by the spring 5 and movement of the breech block in the opposite direction is limited by abutment of a shoulder 9 on the tail P with the washer 1.

The breech block N carries the usual firing pin R and cartridge extractor S, and a cartridge ejector T of known construction is mounted in the action casing to eject cartridge shells laterally through an opening U in the action casing and a registering opening V in the neck B of the stock.

The guide block M has a central longitudinal slot ID in which is pivotally mounted a hammer H on a pivot pin l2. The hammer comprises a head l3 to actuate the firing pin R, and is normally influenced into firing position by a compression spring l4 mounted on a guide rod l5, one end of which is connected to the hammer and the other end of which is movably mounted in the end of the guide block M as at IS.

The hammer is held in cocked position by a sear I! that is in the form of a bell crank with one arm cooperating with a notch IS in the tail H! of the hammer. The sear is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pin 20 on which is also mounted the trigger 2i, and a compression spring 22 is interposed between the trigger and an arm 23 on the sear so as to normally influence the end I! of the sear into engagement with the notch I8 and permit movement of the sear both with and yieldingly relatively to the trigger. The usual trigger spring 2!!! is provided for influencing the trigger and sear into normal cooked or non-firing position.

A sear operating cam lever 24 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends at 25 on the tri ger and has a wedge-shaped a 25 at one end interposed between the trigger and the arm I10 of the sear opposite the arm H. The other end of the cam lever has a pivot head 21 seated in a notch 28 in one end of a link 29 that has a slot intermediate its ends 36 receiving the pin 20 and has a notch 3| at one side of its other end in which is seated the arm 32 of a bell crank tripper 33 that is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the pin l2. The arm 32 of the tripper also has a lug 320 underlying an ear 290 on the link 29 to support the corresponding end of the link. The other arm 34 of the tripper extends upward- 1y into a longitudinal rabbet or notch 35 on the under side of the breech block that has a cam portion 36 at one end to actuate the tripper in one direction as the breech block approaches breech closing position.

With this construction, it will be observed that oscillation of the tripper lever will cause movement of the cam 26 relative to the arm I! of the sear so as to cause movement of the sear relatively to the trigger. A spring 31 is provided for normally influencing the tripper lever 33 in the direction to move the cam 26 outwardly from beneath the arm l'lD of the sear, "while said cam is moved in the other direction by engagement of the cam surface 36 of the breech block with the tripper lever.

In operation of the rifle so far described, the cartridges will be supplied automatically by any suitable mechanism such as a magazine W into the path of movement of the breech block toward and away from the breech. Initially the breech block is retracted by a finger piece 38 that extends outwardly through a slot 39 in the stock, and the end of the breech block opposite the breech engages the hammer head l3 so as to move the hammer into cocked position where it is held by the sear as shown in Figure 17. Upon release of the finger piece 38, the breech block is moved to breech closing position by the spring 5 and carries with it a cartridge X which is inserted into the breech. It will be noted that the cam 26 will be disposed beneath the sear arm I10 by virtue of the cam 36 of the breech block acting on the tripper lever 33 as shown in Figure 8. Firing is started by manual pulling of the trigger rearwardly as shown in Figure 18, which actuates the sear out of engagement with the notch I8 of the trigger and permits the trigger to be propelled to firing position by the spring I4 so as to actuate the firing pin R and explode the cartridge as shown in Figure 18.

The extractor S will have engaged the rim of the cartridge, and the force of the explosion will cause the breech block to recoil as shown in Figure 20 so as to withdraw the cartridge shell from the breech, force the hammer to cocked position and simultaneously release the tripper lever 33 to move the cam 26 from beneath the sear arm I10, whereupon the sear arm I I will engage the notch I8 in the hammer while the trigger is held in firing position as shown in Figures 19 and 20. As the breech block recoils, the rim of the cartridge shell is engaged by the ejector T and the cartridge is ejected laterally through the openings U and V. The breech block is shown in its completely recoiled or retracted position in Figure 20 and from this position is immediately started on its return to breech closing position by the spring 5. In the meantime, a cartridge will have been,

injected between the breech block and the breech so as to be pushed by the breech block into the shown in Figures 21 and 22.

. tilt thesear relatively to the trigger so as to comfiring pin to explode the cartridge that is in the breech Therefore, it will be observed that after initial cocking and firing of the rifle manually, the rifle may be automatically loaded and fired in rapid succession while the trigger is held in firing position, the hammer being cocked by recoil of the breech block and automatically released by movement of the breech block to the breech closing position. Firing may be stopped at any point by release of the trigger to its normal position, and single-shot firing may be effected by manual pulling and release of the trigger at the will of the operator.

For the purpose of making the necessary slight adjustments in the automatic mechanism to in sure proper coordination of the breech closing and firing steps, a set screw 40 may be mounted in the trigger guard 4| to regulate the extent of movement of the trigger.

As above stated, any suitable cartridge feeding mechanism may be utilized, but I have shown one possible form (see Figures 25 to 27), which comprises a casing 42 the body portion of which is of a width and length to receive two columns or tiers of cartridges X with the cartridges of one column arranged in staggered relation to the cartridges of the other column, the cartridges being supported by a follower 43 that is actuated upward- 1y by a spring 44. The case has a contracted neck 45 of a width and length to receive one column of cartridges, the side walls of the neck terminating in lips 46 which normally hold the cartridges against displacement from the case under the pressure of the spring 44. The neck 45 separably fits into a correspondingly shaped slot 41 in the guide block M of the action mechanism, and

a suitable spring operated catch 48 is provided for releasably locking the case in the slot. As shown, this detent is a lever having a nose 49 to fit into an opening 50 in the side wall of the case and formed with an operating button 500 at the end opposite the nose which is actuated by a thumb button slidably mounted in the side wall of the stock neck B. The nose 49 is normally influenced into the opening 50 by a spring 52, and by pressing on the thumb button 5|, the nose may be withdrawn from the opening 50 to permit removal of the cartridge case.

Between the neck 45 and the body of the case, the side walls of the case are formed with shoulders 53 and 54 that extend inwardly toward and in staggered relation to each other so as to guide the cartridges singly and alternately from the two columns into the neck under the influence of the spring 44.

The cartridge case or magazine is so located that the upper-most cartridge is disposed in the to breech closing position, as shown in Figure 25. It will be understood, that the lips 46 will yield or spring outwardly to permit the cartridge to be forced out of the case in the manner described.

To more stably support the magazine W on the rifle, the neck B of the stock may have a downward extension 56 extending along one side of the case 42 and provided with a spring 5'! to frictionally engage the side of the case as shown in Figure 26.

Now referring to the radiator H, preferably the fins are formed integrally with the segment 58 of a tube which embraces the top side of the barrel in contact therewith so that heat from the barrel may be quickly conducted through the segment 58 and radiated from the fins.

The fins will cool the rifle barrel at the hottest zone thereof, namely, at the zone of combustion of the explosive contents of the cartridge, while the other portions of the barrel are cooled by the combined cooling and flash hiding sleeve K. This sleeve is shown as formed of metal with one end screw threaded on a collar 60 which is in turn screw threaded at 6| on the barrel. Intermediate its ends, the sleeve K is fastened to the barrel by a set screw 62 that is threaded into a boss 63 formed on the barrel. section 64 next adjacent to the fins, which is formed with perforations 65, and another section 66 adjacent the muzzle of the barrel that is formed with longitudinal slots 61 and perforations 68. Transverse slots 69 separate the two sections 64 and 66.

The whole sleeve 64 is in spaced relation to the barrel except at its points 60, BI and 62, 63 of connection with the barrel, and it will be seen that heat will be quickly conducted from the barrel to the sleeve and radiated from the sleeve for cooling the barrel. At the same time, the section 66 will serve to hide or obscure the flash from the muzzle of the rifle as the result of firing thereof. H

Another important advantage of the sleeve K is that it provides a cool gripping surface for the handling of the rifle and eliminates the possibility of an operator burning his hands as would occur from gripping the hot rifle barrel.

In use of the rifle, in many instances it may be desirable to fire from prone position, and to facilitate such use of the rifle, I provide the bipod prop L. Thi prop includes a bracket ll] that comprises a sleeve portion ll telescopically fitted over the rifle barrel and clamped between the collar or nut 60 and one end of the cooling fin tube segment 58. an arm 12 that projects laterally from the rifle barrel and carries a pivot lug 13 to which the base of the bipod is connected. As shown, this base ineludes two cylindrical sections 14 and'l5 that are coaxially swivel connected at 76, one of said sections having a bifurcation H in which the lug I3 is disposed. A pivot bolt 18 passes through the lug l3 and the arms of the bifurcation 1.1 for pivotally connecting the base of the bipod to the lug so that said base may swing in vertical planes or in an axial plane of the rifle barrel. The bolt 18 has a head 19 that bears against a Washer which carries two pins 8| slidably mounted in the section 74 and adapted to seat in recesses 82 in the lug 13 for firmly locking the bipod base in the desired angular relation.

A pair of legs 83 are pivotally connected on a bolt 84 in the section 15 of the bipod base so as to swing toward and from each other in planes at angles to the plane of swinging of the bipod base The sleeve K comprises a Integral with the sleeve H isabout the bolt 18. The bolt 84 has a head 85 that bears upon a washer 86 having pins 81 to engage recesses 88 in one of the legs 83 for firmly frictionally clamping the legs together and holding the legs in the desired angular relation to the bipod base.

With this construction, it will be seen that normally the legs 83 may be swung together and the bipod base and legs may be swung upwardly into parallel position to the rifle barrel; and for holding the bipod in this position, the under side of the sleeve K may have a spring clip 89 to receive the legs 83 as shown by solid lines in Figure 7. When it is desired to use the prop, the base is swung downwardly to the desired angle and locked, whereupon the legs 83 are spread apart at the desired angle as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Th rifle then can be conveniently fired from prone position and swung in horizontal planes about the swivel 16, the prop supporting the forward end of the rifle and the operator supporting the stock; or a three-point support for the rifle may be provided by the two legs and the butt of the stock should it be desired to leave the rifle standing on the ground or other surface.

A safety mechanism to prevent unintentional or accidental firing of the rifle is provided in the form of a finger 90 on the trigger, which overlies a pin 9| that is slidable in the guide block M and has a circumferential groove 92. When the pin is in one position, the groove 92 will underlie the finger 90 on the trigger to provide ample clearance for swinging of the trigger for firing, as shown in Figures 8 and 11, but when the pin is slid longitudinally the groove is moved from beneath the finger 90 and the pin will serve as a stop to prevent swinging of the trigger.

While I have shown the invention embodying certain details of construction, it should be understood that this is primarily for the purpose of illustrating the now preferred embodiment of the invention and that many modifications and changes may be made in the structure of the rifle without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a scar pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cooking notch of the hammer and an end with a cam face thereon overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a wedge shaped cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cooking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively.

2. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and an end with a cam face thereon overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cooking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a wedge shaped cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear tee from the cooking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a cam on the breech block, a tripper lever having an arm cooperating with said cam and a slide connecting the tripper lever to the first-mentioned cam whereby movements of the tripper lever will be imparted to the first mentioned cam to move the same into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

3. In an automatic lifie that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and an end with a cam face thereon overlyin the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a wedge shaped cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cocking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a cam on the breech block, a tripper lever pivoted on the pivot of the hammer and having an arm cooperating with the cam on the breech block, and a slide mounted within the receiver connecting the tripper lever to the first mentioned cam whereby movements of the tripper lever will be imparted to the first mentioned cam to move the same into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

4. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cooking notch of the hammer and an end with a cam face thereon overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the scar and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into posi tion to engage the cooking notch of the ham mer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a wedge shaped cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to mov between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cocking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means includin a cam on the breech block, a pivoted tripper lever having an arm cooperating with said cam on the breech block, the tripper lever having a second. arm extending from the opposite side of the pivot to that from which the first arm extends, a slide loosely connected with said second arm and loosely connected with said first cam, whereby the reciprocation of the breech block will move the first mentioned cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

5. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cockin notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and an end with a cam face thereon overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cooking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a wedge shaped cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cocking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to be reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a cam on the breech block, a bell crank tripper lever having one arm cooperating with I the cam on the breech block, a slide extending between the tripper lever and the first mentioned cam and having a notch in each end thereof, the second arm of the bell crank lever extending into the notch at the adjacent end of the slide, and a head on the first mentioned cam extending into the notch at the opposite end of the slide,

whereby movements of the tripper lever will be imparted to the first mentioned cam to move the same into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

6. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying amovable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cocking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and a cam end overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch of th hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cocking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciproca-ble breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively.

7. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and a cam end overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch or the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cooking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a cam on the :breech block, a tripper lever having. an arm cooperating with said cam, and a slide connecting the tripper lever to the first-mentioned cam, whereby movements of the tripper lever will be imparted to the first-mentioned cam to move the same into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

8. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cocking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and a cam end overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end of the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cocking notch 01 the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a cam on the breech block, a tripper lever pivoted on the pivot of the hammer and having an arm cooperating with the cam on the breech block, and a slide mounted within the receiver connecting the tripper lever to the firstmentioned cam, whereby movements of the tripper lever will 'be imparted to the first-mentioned cam to move the same into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

9. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movalble firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cocking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and a cam end overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end or the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cooking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between th trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a cam on the breech block, a

pivoted tripper lever having an arm cooperating with said cam on the breech block, the tripper lever having a second arm extending from the opposite side of the pivot to that from which the first arm extends, a slide loosely connected with said second'arm and loosely connected with said first cam, whereby the reciprocation of the breech block will move the first-mentioned cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

10. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocaible breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a, cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and a cam end overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position,

to engage the cooking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a. cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the cam end or the sear, while the trigger is held in firing position, to release the sear toe from the cooking notch of the hammer; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger,

and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a cam on the breech block, a bell crank tripper lever having one arm cooperating with the cam. on the breech block, a slide extending between the tripper lever and the firstmentioned cam and having a notch in each end thereof, the second arm of the bell crank lever extending into the notch at the adjacent end of the slide, and a head on the first-mentioned cam extending into th notch at the opposite end of' move the same into and out of position between the trigger and the sear.

11. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciprocable breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cocking notch of the hammer and an end overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and th trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the adjacent end of the sear to cause the trigger and the sear to operate as a unit when the trigger is pulled from a non-firing to a firing position and to operate the sear independently of the trigger when the trigger is held in its firing position; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively.

12. In an automatic rifle that includes a receiver, a reciproca-ble breech block carrying a movable firing pin in said receiver, a hammer pivoted in said receiver and having a cooking notch therein, and a trigger, the combination which includes: a sear pivoted between its ends in the receiver and having a toe portion for engagement with the cooking notch of the hammer and an end overlying the trigger; a spring interposed between the sear and the trigger for normally urging the toe of the sear into position to engage the cocking notch of the hammer when the latter is moved to its cocked position; a cam pivotally mounted on the trigger and constructed and arranged to move between the trigger and the adjacent end of the sear to cause the trigger and the sear to operate as a unit when the trigger is pulled from a non-firing to a firing position and to operate the sear independently of the trigger when the trigger is held in its firing position; and means within the receiver connecting said cam to the reciprocable breech block for moving the cam into and out of position between the trigger and the sear as the breech block moves into and out of breech closing position, respectively, said means including a tripper lever actuated by the reciprocating breech block and a slide connecting the tripper lever and the cam.

FREDERICK W. WOODHUIL. 

